cput celebrates africa day · took place on 4 may 2010 at emperors palace, gauteng. the minister of...

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JUNE/JULY 2010

FOR MORE INTERESTING NEWS READ... PAGECPUT strengthens ties with France 5Students tap into Formula One industry 11Library week encourages reading 15

The Transformation Office in collaboration with the Office of International Affairs hosted the Africa Day celebrations at the Bellville Campus’ Auditorium.

The event, which was held on 25 May - with the theme: African Scholarship - paid special attention to the contributions of Africans to research and development, with the ultimate view of promoting economic growth and wealth.

After CPUT Vice-Chancellor, Prof Vuyisa Mazwi-Tanga, made her welcoming speech, several researchers and academics addressed the gathering, covering a wide range of papers in keeping with the theme for the day.

Dr Daniel Nyanganyura of the International Council for Science Regional Office for Africa spoke about: Strengthening African Scientific Research for the benefit of Society; Prof Stephanie Burton, Director of Postgraduate Studies at CPUT, covered the importance of postgraduate research and training in Africa and Dr Chris Nhlapo, Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research, Technology Innovation and Partnerships, looked at Strengthening the Diaspora Network to contribute to research and innovation.

Africa Day commemorates the founding of the Organisation of African Unity on May 25 1963. On this day, leaders of 30 of the 32 independent African states signed a founding charter in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Similarly, the Auditorium portrayed the same spirit in the kaleidoscopic African dress code, comments and opinions expressed on the day. The poetry and the sounds of the Djembe drums reconnected the audience in one spirit.

Dr Nhlapo painted a bleak picture of the research output of Africans as compared to other nationals when one looks at researchers per one million inhabitants.

Africa has 78 researchers per million inhabitants as compared to the U.S.A and Japan which respectively boast 4006 and 5206 researchers per million inhabitants. South

Africa on the other hand has 309 researchers per million inhabitants.

Dr Nhlapo said the African Union and Nepad need to play their coordinating and facilitating roles to address the issue of brain drain, and every country needs to establish its own Diaspora database that can be used to create African Diasporas master database.

“African governments need assistance to effectively harness their Diaspora potential. They should demonstrate their commitment to retain and to re-attract skilled personnel at home and take initiatives to mobilize the diaspora,” said Dr Nhlapo.

Professor Thandi Matsha of the Biomedical Sciences Department deliberated on SA’s contribution towards Africa’s Development with regards to Research. Prof Matsha participated in panel discussions which also

included speakers from Nigeria, Gabon and Zimbabwe.

She diffused some long held fallacies about Africa by mentioning that the Timbuktu Manuscripts which date as far back as the 13th century “Hold the key to some of the secrets of the continent’s history and cultural heritage - and shatter the conventional historical view of Africa as a purely “oral continent”.

The manuscripts provide a written testimony to the skill of African scientists, in astronomy, mathematics, chemistry, medicine and climatology in the Middle Ages”.

Ms Merle Hodges, Director of International Affairs, said her department would like to pay tribute to their late colleague Jabu Mazibuko, who always had dreams for the development and cultural exchange as espoused by speakers in the recent event.

CPUT CELEBRATESAFRICA DAY

CELEBRATION: Members of the CPUT community that attended the Africa Day celebrations held at the Bellville Campus’ Auditorium.

CAPE PENINSULA UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

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INNOVATOR: Prof Oluwole Daniel Makinde with the NSTF 2010 award.

Researchers honoured AT NSTF AWARDS

For more information and a gallery of photographsfrom the event visit the NSTF website at

www.nstfawards.org.za

Outstanding contributions towards science, engineering, innovation and technology were acknowledged at the twelfth National Science and Technology Forum (NSTF) Awards.

The winners of the 2009/10 NSTF Awards were announced at the annual Gala Dinner that took place on 4 May 2010 at Emperors Palace, Gauteng.

The Minister of Science and Technology, Ms Naledi Pandor presented the fourteen category awards on the evening.

The NSTF Awards affords an opportunity for recognition to all practising scientists, engineers, technologists and innovators across the system of innovation.

The Awards represent a collaborative effort by the SET community of South Africa, made possible by the participation and sponsorship of a variety of stakeholders.

CPUT’s Prof Oluwole Daniel Makinde received recognition for his success in research in mathematical modelling and computation as well as research capacity development in challenging environments.

The NRF Sponsored T W Kambule Award to a ‘senior black male researcher over the last five to ten years’ was made to Prof Makinde, who is currently a Senior Professor and Chair of Postgraduate Studies in the Faculty of Engineering.

In 2009, Prof Makinde received an NSTF finalist award for outstanding contribution to science, engineering, technology and innovation, as his involvement in the NSTF is mainly through capacity development in the area of computational and mathematical sciences among previously disadvantaged communities, as well as in the area of Computational Mathematics and Mathematical Modeling.

Over the past ten years his research work has contributed to the upliftment of students through supervision and training at Honours, Masters, PhD and post-doctoral levels.

“This achievement has given my research niche area a boost”, said Prof Makinde.

The main objective of his research work is to use mathematical theories & methodologies to gain insight into the dynamics of various engineering & biological systems which are of industrial, environmental & social interest.

“The NSTF provides a good platform for our academic staff and students to embark on quality research activities. We are here to provide adequate mentorship in order to make their dreams a reality. Research excellence is achievable and we can all contribute to the Advancement of Science/Technological Innovation/New Knowledge in South Africa and Africa in general”, said Prof Makinde.

Presently, he is serving as the Secretary General of the African Mathematical Union and an Associate member of National Institute of Physics in South Africa (NIThep).

He has co-authored several books, has published numerous research articles and has received several academic and research excellent awards, honours and grants both locally and abroad.

“I will continue to provide much needed mentorship and support that are necessary for the development of essential research skills for both academic staff and students at CPUT”, added Prof Makinde.

Also nominated in the Category TW Kambule Awards for Black Researchers is Dr Ashraf Mohammed, Head of Department: HIV/AIDS Unit located at the Cape Town campus for his medical research work.

He completed his post-graduate studies at the University of Cape Town where he developed his profile in the medical field and

his doctoral thesis focused on the aspects of a tuberculosis (TB) screening test developed, which was subsequently included in the national guideline to HIV positive patients.

Dr Mohammed has published several conference and journal papers and submitted data to global medical bodies such as the Centre for Disease Control (CDC) and the World Health Organisation (WHO), and has been involved in one of seven international studies for the prevention of TB in HIV positive adults.

He also joined as a member of the Golden Key Society last year, as CPUT’s first academic representative.

“The NSTF provides a good platform for our

academic staff and students to embark of quality

research activities. We are here to provide adequate

mentorship in order to make their dreams a reality.”


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The newly appointed Dean of Engineering, Dr Nawaz Mahomed, who has held several top positions in industry and government, brings a wealth of experience to CPUT.

A Mechanical Engineering doctorate graduate from Warsaw University in Poland, Dr Mohamed has professional experience in industries such as maritime, agriculture, mining, manufacturing and explosives.

He has held top positions at Central University of Technology, Denel, the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research and the Department of Science and Technology.

The new dean is also no stranger to CPUT, having worked as a lecturer in the Mechanical Engineering Department of the then Peninsula Technikon during the 1980’s and 1990’s.

Dr Mahomed, who prior to joining CPUT held the position of CEO at the Institute for Maritime Technology, said he is hoping to play

a role in influencing new developments that are strategic to the Western Cape region.

“I want to build programmes that are strategically linked to the region’s growth sectors,” he said.

Areas identified for the development of new programmes include renewable energy, agriculture, transport and rural development.

“These are also the industries we should build strong relationships with,” said Dr Mahomed.

He said it is also important to link to national priorities, such as the national space programme, which receive government support and can provide future opportunities.

Dr Mahomed who developed unique skills training programmes whilst employed at the Department of Science and Technology said it is vital to ensure that all the programmes in the

faculty equip students with the correct skills to enter industry.

The faculty must not only concentrate on ensuring students are skilled to take up employment in the South African industry, but that they are skilled in such a manner that they can build the future industry, he said.

Development of staff and restructuring of portfolios are just some of the other plans Dr Mahomed is looking at to ensure the faculty remains at the cutting edge of engineering.

“I have many other ideas for the faculty but will expand on them as time goes on,” he said.

Meanwhile he plans to further his research on computational fluid mechanics and embark on research projects with staff members in the faculty.

CPUT WELCOMES DEAN OF ENGINEERING

NEW ERA: Dr Nawaz Mahomed took up his position at CPUT on 1 May, which was previously held by Dr Oswald Franks who resigned to take up the position of CEO at the Engineering Council of South Africa in September 2009.

“I want to build programmes that are strategically linked to

the region’s growth sectors.”


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The Fundani Centre for Higher Education Development recently hosted a delegation from the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), who conducted a review of two CPUT projects.

The review, which took place from 10 to 13 May, is part of the international Supporting Quality Teaching study, which has been undertaken by the OECD since 2007.

The study forms part of the organisations Institutional Management for Higher Education (IMHE) programme, which is aimed at helping higher education institutions explore their institutional engagement into quality teaching.

According to the OECD the goal of the Supporting Quality Teaching is to “highlight effective quality initiatives and mechanisms and to push forward reflection or practices that may in turn help other institutions to improve the quality of their teaching and thereby, the quality of their graduates.”

In participating in the project, higher education institutions take part in an international review that collects information and benchmarks for their own purpose regarding the quality of their teaching.

The project is being implemented in two phases. The first phase, which is already completed, involved an overview of institutional initiatives and policies that enhanced the quality of teaching.

The second phase, in which CPUT is participating, is exploring institutional experiences and approaches to quality teaching.

Prof Terence Volbrecht, Director of The Fundani Centre for Higher Education Development said CPUT was invited by the OECD to participate in phase two of the study.

“They asked us to submit two particular institutional initiatives that have a wide impact on teaching and learning at the institution,” said Prof Volbrecht.

The Curriculum Officers Forum, which sees academic staff in each faculty appointed to facilitate curriculum development and the Extended Curriculum Programme, which sees a foundation year added to a diploma course, were selected to be reviewed by the OECD delegation.

Prof Volbrecth said the review process involved a three-day site visit, interviews with

staff members and students, documentary analysis and questionnaires. He said this review will benefit CPUT as the institution will get an external opinion on the quality of the two programmes.

Mr Fabrice Henard, an analyst at the OECD programme said there are ten institutions participating in the second phase of the study, which is earmarked to be completed in 2011.

He said the reviews will produce a reflective paper for each higher education institution. These reflective papers will then be cross-analysed by IMHE/OECD, which will result in an international transversal report.

Henard said the review is not meant to explore the whole educational process or to reveal the educational impacts. According to the OECD the reviews are intended to complement earlier evaluations and foster internal reflection for further work.

OECD delegate, Dr Outi Kallioinen, who is also the Development Director of Laurea University of Applied Sciences in Finland, said the reviews will also enrich the reflections of the OECD on the quality of education at institutions.

QUALITY TEACHING: The Fundani Centre for Higher Education Development recently hosted a delegation from the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), who conducted a review of two CPUT projects.

EUROPEAN DELEGATIONREVIEW CPUT PROJECTS


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A CPUT delegation recently visited the French Consulate, where they met with the Consul of France, Antoine Michon.

The visit took place on 13 May at the consulate’s Cape Town offices and was aimed at strengthening ties between the institution and France, said Dr Chris Nhlapo, Deputy Vice Chancellor Research, Technology Innovation and Partnerships.

Dr Nhlapo, who led the CPUT delegation, said the institution has several Memoranda of Understanding (MOU) with universities and organisations in France. Most notably is the collaboration with AIRBUS S.A.S, the graduate school Ecole Supérieure d'Ingénieurs en Electrotechnique et Electronique (ESIEE) and the French South African Institute of Technology (F’SATI), a

specialised centre at CPUT’s Bellville campus.

F’SATI collaborates with ESIEE on the delivery of postgraduate programmes in Engineering. On completion of their degrees, graduates receive qualifications from F’SATI and CPUT.

Merle Hodges, Director of International Affairs who was part of the delegation said many of the French collaborations are located in The Faculty of Engineering.

“We would like to broaden it to other faculties as with the recent MOU signed with Dunkerque Graduate School of International Business, France,” she said. Hodges informed the Consul that CPUT would like to explore how other departments can link up with

existing collaborations and also create more opportunities for staff to participate in exchange programmes at French research organisations. Members of the delegation, Dean of Engineering Dr Nawaz Mahomed, Head of the Electrical Engineering Department, Ben Groenewald, Head of the Internal Auditing Department Spurge Rudman, F’SATI Director Prof Robert van Zyl and F’SATI Business Manager Ian van Zyl, also raised areas with the Consul where they felt existing collaborations could be strengthened or where new ones could be formed. Prof van Zyl said while F’SATI has strong ties with universities in France, they would like to develop links with French based companies.

“I am looking for internship positions for my students. Government would like our students to have hands on experience of working in big satellite companies before entering the South African industry,” he said.

Van Zyl also requested the Consul to facilitate working relationships with Francophone countries, from where a large number of F’SATI and other international students come from. Dr Mahomed suggested collaborations in the area of Nuclear Energy while Rudman suggested partnerships with French institutions that will benefit the CPUT Hotel School.

Consul Michon said he would explore as to how the Consulate could assist CPUT with creating links with more French companies and institutions. Referring to the current partnerships, he said he was impressed with the work CPUT has already done in order to create a working relationship with French institutions, universities and companies.

Dr Chris Nhlapo, Deputy Vice Chancellor Research, Technology Innovation and Partner-ships recently travelled to France where he visited École nationale supérieure des arts et industries textiles (Ensait) and Dunkerque Graduate School of International Business. Dr Nhlapo said the week-long trip was a “fact finding mission” to establish the feasibility of CPUT creating stronger links with the two French institutions.

“We don’t just want to sign Memoranda of Understanding (MOU) with other institutions. We want to ensure partnerships that will add value to the university,” he said.

Dr Nhlapo said he was impressed with operations at Ensait, which is one of the world’s top institutions focusing on textile education and research. The major fields of study and research at Ensait are technical textiles, industrial and manufacturing engineering, smart material, textile chemistry, biotechnology in textiles and clothing technologies. Dr Nhlapo said he visited various laboratories at Ensait that boast state of the art equipment.

CPUT already has an ENSAIT intern in the Faculty of Engineering and an exchange of students was discussed before any institutional engagement took place around an MOU.

“I am satisfied that we can go ahead with signing a MOU with Ensait,” he said.

Dr Nhlapo also finalized a partnership with Dunkerque Graduate School of International Business, who invited him to be a guest speaker in a series of panel discussions that focused on South Africa and “The World in 2025.”

Dr Nhlapo said during the series of panel discussions he focused on the relations between South Africa, France and the European Union, investing in South Africa, poles of economic development in South Africa and managing a complex structural heritage. Other panelists hailed from France, China, Russia, Czechoslovakia and Switzerland.

Whilst at the graduate school, Dr Nhlapo also participated in their 25th year of existence celebrations and annual graduation ceremony.

CPUT STRENGTHENS ties with France

COLLOBARATION: The CPUT delegation pictured with Consul of France, Antoine Michon (second from the left) at the French Consulate in Cape Town.

PARTNERSHIP ON CARDS WITH TOP INSTITUTIONS

VISIT: Dr Nhlapo with representatives from the Dunkerque Graduate School of International Business.


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CPUT is playing a vital role in the development of human capacity for the space science and technology industry in South Africa.

The French South African Institute of Technology (F’SATI), a specialised unit at CPUT that is responsible for the Satellite Systems Engineering Programme recently hosted a week-long industry seminar that focused on the space science and technology industry in South Africa.

The seminar was the second in a series of industry seminars scheduled for the year. These seminars serve to inform local stakeholders of international trends, encourage debate, promote networking, and promote SMME development.

Key role-players in government, industry and the higher education sector attended the seminar that took place in Stellenbosch from 24 to 27 May.

The first day of the seminar was dedicated to the South African space environment.

Representatives from the Department of Trade and Industry, Department of Science and Technology, South African National Space Agency, Aerospace Industry Support and the National Research Foundation delivered

presentations on key issues related to the National Space Strategy.

Issues covered included the promotion of the peaceful use of space, acceleration of the industrial development of space technology and the coordination of all space related activities.

Several speakers also highlighted the importance of fostering research in space science and engineering.

The remainder of the seminar saw Thomas Schirmann, a senior engineer from EADS Astrium deliver presentations on a wide range of topics such as flight dynamics, launchers and earth observation missions.

EADS Astrium is a global space industry leader with world class expertise in all aspects of space. The organization is responsible for designing and manufacturing a large number of satellites.

With CPUT currently developing a CubeSat in collaboration with the Hermanus Magnetic Observatory and Stellenbosch University, Schirmann focused on areas relevant to satellites.

He said designing and manufacturing satellites is a complicated task as there are many

things you need to consider, such a launchers, ground segments and space segments.

“You also need to first determine the needs of the mission and then you can design a space system (satellite),” he said.

Schirmann said space missions are used for telecommunication purposes, earth observations to studies of the solar system.

Space missions are also costly, said Schirmann, with many European missions ranging from €200 million to €1000 million.

Satellite based space missions are also much more successful than manned missions to space.

“There are many constraints with manned missions that you don’t have with a machine. The outcomes of manned missions are often less than that of an unmanned vehicle,” he said.

Meanwhile, Prof Robert van Zyl, Director of F’SATI said work has already begun on the CubeSat, which will measure 10 by 10 by 30 centimeters and weigh three kilograms.

If all goes as planned the satellite will be showcased at the International Astronautical Federation Conference which will be held in Cape Town in October 2011.

SEMINAR ExPLORES SATELLITE TECHNOLOGY

SPACE: Representatives from the Department of Trade and Industry, Department of Science and Technology, South African National Space Agency, Aerospace Industry Support, National Research Foundation and CPUT who attended the seminar.


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With a surge of interest in complementary and alternative medicine, the Faculty of Health and Wellness Sciences is putting plans in place to roll out the Unani-Tibb Post Graduate diploma in 2011.

The programme, which will be the first qualification in complementary medicine to be introduced at CPUT, will be aimed at nurses with a primary healthcare qualification.

Recently Unani-Tibb experts from universities in India and Pakistan, who will assist with the implementation of the programme, visited CPUT.

Prof Rashid Bhika, from the South African Tibb Association who led the international delegation told CPUT staff members during a meeting on 7 May at the Bellville Campus, that they are looking forward to collaborating with CPUT.

Bhika said Unani-Tibb is based on the humoral and temperamental theory of Greek-Arabic Medicine. Unani-Tibb advocates that each individual should take responsibility for his or her wellbeing.

This they can do very effectively by choosing

and regulating the type of food consumed, by correct breathing and sleeping habits, emotional management, exercise and the use of various alternative therapies or medicines.

The post-graduate diploma will provide additional diagnostic and cost effective treatment options that will enable nurses to manage illness conditions, especially chronic conditions more effectively.

Prof Anis Ahmad Ansari from Aligarh Muslim University in India said Unani-Tibb methods have already been implemented in many parts of the world.

Head of Nursing and Radiography Shafick Hassan said more South Africans are now combining complementary and alternative medicine with orthodox ‘western medicine’ medicine, for a broad range of conditions.

“Worldwide there is undeniably, a substantial swing away from orthodox medicine to the complementary and alternative medicine systems. Complementary and alternative medicine’s use is at an all-time high in the USA, Australia and the UK,” said Hassan.

Dean of the Faculty of Health and Wellness Sciences, Prof Dhiro Ghiwala, who met with the delegation, said they are looking forward to implementing this programme.

Unani-Tibb is the eleventh modality of the Allied Health Professions Council of South Africa (AHPCSA). The AHPCSA is responsible for regulating the practice and training of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) healing modalities, which includes amongst others, Homeopathy, Chiropractic, Chinese Medicine, Physiotherapy and Aromatherapy.

MEDICINE: Staff members from the Faculty of Health and Wellness Sciences with the delegation from India and Pakistan.

CPUT rolls out COMPLEMENTARY MEDICINE PROGRAMME

“Worldwide there is undeniably, a substantial swing away from orthodox medicine

to the complementary and alternative medicine

systems. Complementary and alternative medicine’s use is

at an all-time high in the USA, Australia and the UK.”


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In 2008, CPUT’s Department of Built Environment under the Faculty of Engineering, together with the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) and the Polytechnic of Namibia (PoN) joined forces to develop a study programme in Facility Management.

The three universities were awarded funding from the German Academic Exchange Programme (DAAD) to develop a four-year study programme in Facility Management at CPUT and for inclusions of Facility Management modules up to third-year level in the Civil Engineering programme at PoN. The project team recently met at PoN in Windhoek to deliver a block course in Facility Management over three days from 27 to 29 April 2010 including a series of lectures and a student excursion, where four facilities in Windhoek were visited.

Lectures were presented by two academics from KIT and four academics from CPUT. Locally, the team was also supported by industry role-players; namely Jordaan-WSP Facility Management which granted PoN students and the project team access to facilities under their management.

Furthermore, the Medi-Clinic Hospital in Windhoek opened its doors for the visitors. Following a meeting with PoN’s Vice-Rector Finance and Administration Dr Guenzel and their Head of Department for Planning and International Relations Ms Olivier, further milestones beyond the project were set. Among these were the participating three institutions which agreed to jointly organize an international Facility Management Symposium at PoN in Windhoek in 2011.

At CPUT, Facility Management lecturing modules are currently taught at the Bellville and

Cape Town campuses in various subjects on first year level.

The visit to PoN also helped KIT and CPUT staff to improve and revise some of their respective lecturing notes and sessions.

After the visit to PoN project leader for CPUT Ludwig Martin said, “We remain confident that the Facility Management programme will see its first CPUT graduates in 2012”.

The programme is concerned with providing management of all secondary processes within organizations, ensuring that organizations can focus on their core business.

Secondary processes include maintenance of buildings, but can also include soft services such as catering or IT.

Students completing the PoN civil engineering

degree and with credits in Facility Management will be allowed to transfer to CPUT into the fourth-year.

In 2009 the overall structures for relevant programmes and their frameworks were set and this was followed by an intensive period of preparation of new lecturing material, orientated by content given by the International Facility Management Association (IFMA) Foundation. Frequent workshops are held for academics from the three institutions during which study content is developed and discussed and further lecturing visits at PoN and CPUT are sponsored by DAAD.

According to the project plan, the first lectures have already been introduced at first and second year level this year. The CPUT second year students will do a block course, jointly presented by KIT and CPUT staff, in September 2010.

Facility Management programme REACHES OUTSIDE CPUT BORDERS

FACILITIES: Dr Kamara (PoN), Ms Olivier (PoN), Mr de Almeida (Jordaan-WSP), Ms Nandjaa (PoN), Dr Bahr (KIT), Prof Lennerts (KIT), Ms Shituula (CPUT), Mr Katale (PoN), Dr Guenzel (PoN), Dr Ludwig Martin (CPUT).

A commercial unit that will provide web-based conference management services for higher education institutions and other organisations has officially been launched at CPUT.

The establishment of the CPUT Active Web Unit came about after Gregory Booth, the Lead Developer in the Management Information Services (MIS) department, developed the web-based myConference application.

Booth, who spent six years developing the software, said the application provides clients with innovative products that can assist in the organisation, marketing and management of

academic and other types of conferences. The myConference application can either be added to an existing website in order for the administrators to make use of the academic conferencing functionality or a new website can be built to host the application.

Booth said the myConference application allows administrators to advertise the event, register delegates, manage online payments, arrange accommodation and make travel arrangements. However, the key feature of myConference is the academic component of the software.

“It allows users to submit abstracts online and for the administrators to set up an online peer review system,” said Booth.

The myConference application also boasts an automated event or conference programming application and can be used

to publish research material, photographs of events and news. Booth said the service can be used once-off to administer a conference or for an extended period.

Dr Chris Nhlapo, Deputy Vice Chancellor Research, Technology Innovation and Partner-ships, who oversees the establishment of commercial units at CPUT, said this web-based conference management service has substantial commercial potential.

With South Africa, and particularly Cape Town being a conference destination of choice, myConference can be developed to serve a wider market than the academic conference market, he said. He added that this commercial unit was the first at CPUT to be set up in terms of the new Intellectual Property Act, which outlines how intellectual property generated at public higher education institutions should be managed.

ACTIVE WEB UNITLAUNCHED


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staff newsletter

Researchers at the Functional Food Research Unit have embarked on a study to determine the recommended daily intake of omega-3 fatty acids.

Although omega-3 fatty acids play an important role in the prevention of several chronic diseases such as heart disease, cancer and arthritis, no study has been undertaken to determine the recommended daily intake.

To date researchers have only been able to determine a daily intake for vitamins and minerals.

Prof Spinney Benade, head of the unit that focuses on the research of foods that are beneficial to the health of consumers, said currently there are only three groups in South Africa researching aspects of omega-3 fatty acids.

However, the Cape Town based unit is the only one looking at ways and means of increasing the intake of omega -3 fatty acids.

With funding from the institution’s Innovation Board, the unit commenced a research project in 2009 to develop a method to test for the recommended daily intake of omega-3 fatty acids.

“Last year was the first time we worked on creating a model we could use to determine how much omega-3 you need a day. The model was successful. Now we are trying to establish how much omega-3 fatty acids an individual needs a day,” he said.

Dr Maretha Opperman who works alongside Prof Benade said 33 participants are involved in the study, which commenced earlier this year.

For purposes of the study, the participants were divided into four groups. Three groups are required to take different doses of omega-3 fatty acid capsules daily while one group is required to avoid the intake of the fatty acid.

Dr Opperman said blood is drawn at various stages of the study in order to monitor the impact of omega-3 fatty acids on the participants.

“So far the study is going well. The participants understand the importance of the study,” she said.

If all goes as planned, the researchers hope to publish a paper on the study, detailing the recommended daily intake of omega-3 fatty acids before the end of the year.

The same study will also be applied to people living with HIV/Aids in order to determine the impact daily doses of omega-3 fatty acids could have on their health.

The unit also recently completed a study that looked at determining the true omega-3 fatty acid contents of supplements on the South African market in order to ensure the safety and trustworthiness of omega-3 fatty acid supplements available to the consumer, said Dr Opperman.

The study was completed and the first publication will be released this year.

STUDY ON OMEGA-3FATTY ACIDSUNDERWAY

RESEARCH: Prof Spinney Benade and Dr Maretha Opperman at work in the Functional Food Research Unit laboratory that is based at the Cape Town Campus.

“Last year was the first time we worked on

creating a model we could use to determine how

much omega-3 you need a day. Now we are trying

to establish how much omega-3 fatty acids an

individual needs a day.”


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On Monday, 17th May 2010 the HIV/AIDS unit hosted its annual candle lighting ceremony in remembrance of those who have passed on and those living with HIV and AIDS.

The memorial event took place at the Glasshouse Nursery, which is managed by the Department of Horticulture on CPUT’s Cape Town campus and was well attended by both staff and students.

Each year, communities around the world gather to host the ‘International AIDS Candlelight Memorial’, a programme started by The Global Health Council (GHC) in 1983.

This global grassroots mobilisation campaign for HIV/AIDS awareness is scheduled to take place every third Sunday in May.

As the first leg of the memorial, workplace peer educators along with members of the HIV/

AIDS unit visited inmates at the Malmesbury Prison on Sunday, 16th May 2010.

The master of ceremonies for the event, Peer Educator and Procurement Department staff member Anthea Oliver, welcomed guests and the Head of the HIV/AIDS Unit Dr Ashraf Mohammed formally opened the ceremony and briefly explained the significance of this annual event.

“The purpose of today’s gathering is to remember and honour the people who have been affected by the pandemic and to encourage those who do not yet know their status to get tested”, said Dr. Mohammed.

“We stand together with the communities of persons living with HIV/AIDS and their families,” he said.

CPUT’s Transformation Manager Samuel Henkeman delivered a prayer for those living with the virus and blessed the ceremony.

This was followed by a moving motivational speech from Arts and Culture Student Development Officer Thobeka September, who shared her personal experience of having a sibling negatively impacted by the stigma associated with a positive HIV status.

“As the family members, we need to be sensitive to the drastic adjustment that an infected person has to make in every aspect of their lives and should support them in any way we can”, said September.

Student Peer Educator Akhona Ndiki recited an emotionally charged poem that he had written for the occasion.

Workplace Peer Educator Thando Moiloa spoke about the role of the peer educators in setting a good example by going for regular testing to knowing one’s status and speaking openly about the truths of HIV/AIDS.

As a person living openly with HIV, HIV/Aids Unit Health Promoter Marius Harmsen spoke about his hardships from a positive diagnosis to surviving near fatal tuberculosis, and now his day-to-day management of the disease through medication and lifestyle changes.

This was followed by a minute of silence and the lighting of candles by the group.

The ‘International AIDS Candlelight Memorial’ is in its 25th year and is led by a coalition of over 1,200 community organisations in 115 countries hosting local memorials.

To commemorate this particular occasion, the GHC unveiled the 25th anniversary poster and theme, “Never Give Up. Never Forget”, during its traditional World AIDS Day poster presentation in the United States.

With over 33 million people living with HIV/AIDS in the present day, the Candlelighting Ceremony continues to serve as an important intervention for global solidarity, breaking down barriers, which gives hope to new generations.

HIV/AIDS unitremembersthose affectedby thepandemic

REMEMBERED: (From left) Health Promoter Marius Harmsen lights a candle with Head of the HIV/AIDS Unit Dr Ashraf Mohammed at the HIV/AIDS candle lighting ceremony.


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Engineering Faculty Language Coordinator, Dr Ken Barris, has recently been selected as a finalist for the 2010 Caine Prize for African Writing.

The prize, which is in its eleventh year, is regarded as Africa’s leading literary award. This year, the competition attracted 115 writers from 13 African countries, of which five where shortlisted for the prize.

The chair of judges, The Economist literary editor Fiammetta Rocco, said: “Africa has much to be proud of in these five writers. Not only are their stories all confident, ambitious and skillfully written, each one boasts an added dimension a voice, character or particular emotional connection that makes it uniquely powerful.”

The other writers who were shortlisted include Lily Mabura (Kenya), Namwali Serpell (Zambia), Alex Smith (South Africa), and Olufemi Terry (Sierra Leone).

The short story, The life of a Worm, which was written by Dr Barris in 2009, secured him

a place on the shortlist. The story focuses on social issues of South Africa.

“It is a story about a dog called Worm. It reflects the anxiety of living in a crime riddled South Africa through the eyes of Worm’s owner,” said Dr Barris.

In 2009 Dr Barris was shortlisted for the prestigious Pen/Studzinski Literary Award after submitting The life of a Worm for the competition. The short story now appears in an anthology, featuring all short stories shortlisted for the Pen/Studzinski Literary Award.

Dr Barris who will travel to Britain during the first week of July where the winner will be announced, said it is a terrific experience to be shortlisted for the 2010 Caine Prize for African Writing.

Whilst in Britain, the shortlisted writers will read from their work at the Royal Over-Seas League and at the London Literature Festival. On Monday 5 July, the winner of the £10,000 prize will be announced at Bodleian Library in Oxford.

The winner will also be given the opportunity of taking up a month's residence at Georgetown University in Washington, as a Caine Prize/Georgetown University Writer-in-Residence.

Dr Barris, who writes poetry, short stories and novels, has won several prizes for his writing.

In 1998 he secured the MNet Book Prize for the novel “The Jailers Book”, which was published in 1996. His novel, “What Kind of Child”, which was published in 2006, was also shortlisted for the prestigious Commonwealth Prize.

Mechanical Engineering students have successfully designed and manufactured a steel trolley that will be used by technicians in the motor sport industry.

Racing karts will be loaded on the steel trolley, allowing technicians to gain easy access to the motor and other parts located underneath the vehicle. The design and manufacturing of the steel trolley is part of an educational programme initiated by the South African Kart Racing Association (SAKRA), an organisation that aims to expose learners and students to the Formula One industry.

In 2009, SAKRA launched a pilot programme with CPUT in order to expose students to the technical side of the Formula One industry. The programme will run for three years and if successful, it will be rolled out at tertiary institutions across South Africa.

The trolley project, which culminated on 24 May when students handed over the completed product to representatives of SAKRA, is one of several projects that form part of the programme.

A lecturer in the department and CPUT coordinator of the programme Felicity Harris

said the design of the trolley allowed students to put their skills into practice. As part of the project, students following the extended programme were asked to design a trolley for the motor sport industry.

“Out of 10 concepts, one group’s project was chosen to be manufactured,” said Harris.

Students completing their in-service training were then roped in to manufacture the trolley.

Student Mateo Schroeder who along with Zuko Mweli and Clinton van Neel designed the winning concept, said although it was a daunting task it was “a good learning experience.”

Schroeder said they came up with five designs but after consulting lecturers and conducting research, they selected the one they felt met all the necessary requirements.

Dean of Engineering Dr Nawaz Mahomed said the students have set a good precedent for the next group who will participate in the project.

“The following groups will have to consistently improve on what was created,” he said.

Head of SAKRA Joy Dolinschek, said: “I am absolutely thrilled with the outcome. This is really fantastic.”

WRITER: Dr Ken Barris, a finalist in the 2010 Caine Prize for African Writing.

Academic shortlistedFOR WRITING PRIZE

Students tap into Formula One industry

MOTOR SPORT: Mechanical Engineering students and CPUT coordinator of the programme Felicity Harris with the kart they designed and manufactured:


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Third year Mechatronics students recently showcased their skills when they manufactured a solar powered, automated, mobile soccer game.

The design and manufacturing of the eco-friendly machine was part of the annual Cyber Junkyard inter-tertiary competition aimed at bringing industry and education closer together.

An initiative of Siemens, Festo and LAPPKABEL, the competition provides students with an opportunity to put their skills into practice.

Siemens Business Unit Manager and coordinator of the competition Des Burrouws said it also serves to address the skills shortage in the region by providing an exciting, modern and real-world platform for the development of young, technically skilled people and the empowerment of the engineering faculties of tertiary institutions.

This year’s project linked up to the Fifa 2010 World Cup™ and was themed “Play the Game, Save the Planet”.

Teams were tasked to manufacture a mobile technology demonstration unit in the form of a high-tech soccer game using renewable energy. All teams were provided with building guidelines and the necessary equipment to manufacture the device.

They were then required to design a system around the components to ensure that the game met the operational requirements set out in the guidelines.

After spending five months designing and manufacturing the machine, CPUT students travelled to Johannesburg during the last week of May where they competed in the national competition.

Although the team did not win, they received much praise for their machine, which they named “Soccer Operated Computer Controlled Eco Recreation.”

Leader of the CPUT team Reynaldo Rodriguez said: “It was a very good learning experience.”

With all equipment sponsored by the

organisers of the competitions, Rodriguez said they had an opportunity to work with the latest technology.

It was not an easy task and saw students working on the machine through the night at the Mechatronics laboratory.

Mechatronics Program Coordinator Francois Hoffman went to great lengths to facilitate the project on campus by curriculating it as a subject.

Lecturer in the department who coordinated the project, Karin Wolff said: “This entire competition phase was a tremendous opportunity for project management, real engagement with industry-based technologies and processes, as well as personal development for the entire class. We are very grateful to all those who supported our team.”

Wolff said although CPUT was not placed in the top three, the students won attention from industry for their innovative and power-saving technologies.

She said there were several companies represented at the competition’s awards dinner and as a result valuable contacts were made which will lead to employment and work integrated learning opportunities for CPUT Mechatronic students.

MECHATRONICS STUDENTSmanufacture soccer game

TECHNOLOGY: Third year Mechatronics students with the “Soccer Operated Computer Controlled Eco Recreation” that they manufactured for the Cyber Junkyard inter-tertiary competition aimed at bringing industry and education closer together.


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staff newsletter

A service-learning project, run by the Education Department at the Wellington Campus, has received a much needed donation from the Gif t of the Givers Foundation.

The foundation, which is the largest disaster response non-governmental organisation of African origination on the African continent, lends a helping hand to organisations, countries and individuals who are in need.

Since the foundation’s establishment several years ago, they have delivered over R360 million in aid to 27 countries around the world, including South Africa.

Apart from their disaster relief activities, the foundation lends a helping hand to organisations, schools, projects and individuals who are in need.

The foundation recently donated funds to the Education Department, which will enable them to feed learners from poor and rural schools involved in their Inclusive Education Learner Support Project.

The project, which has been running for several years, is one of the most successful service-learning projects at CPUT.

Irene Lewis, an Inclusive Education Lecturer who is spearheading the initiative, said the project sees Education students providing tutoring to 200 learners from rural schools in the Wellington area over a 10 week period.

Many of the learners have learning problems and through the project have access to individual tutoring in literacy, numeracy and motor skills. However, Lewis said the learners, who are bussed to the campus once a week for the lessons, often arrive hungry and are unable to concentrate.

“On one occasion a learner was laying with his head on the desk. He told us that he was dizzy because he had not eaten. He said he ate his last meal the previous night,” said Lewis.

Debbie Cilliers, an Inclusive Education Lecturer who is also a convenor on the project said learning is not possible if learners are hungry. Unable to rely on ad hoc donations for feeding the learners, the lecturers approached the Service-Learning Unit for assistance, who

then secured funding from the Gift of the Givers Foundation.

Gawa Sayed, a representative from the foundation said they are passionate about education and did not hesitate to make funds available to feed the learners for the duration of the project.

Sayed, who visited the Wellington campus to see the project in action, said she was impressed with the level of commitment from

staff, students and learners including how well the project was run.

On arrival at the campus, learners meet up with their student tutors and then enjoy lunch. They are then taken to various venues where they receive individual tutoring.

Jacqui Scheepers, Manager of the Service-Learning Unit, said the Education Department’s project is an excellent model for other service-learning projects.

GIFT OF THE GIVERS FOUNDATION supports education project

LEARNING: A CPUT Education student tutors a learner.

ASSISTANCE: A CPUT Education student chats with a learner who she will tutor over the next few weeks. The learner enjoys his lunch that was sponsored by the Gift of the Givers Foundation.

DONATION: Gawa Sayed, from the Gift of the Givers Foundation chats to Irene Lewis, an Inclusive Education Lecturer who is spearheading the initiative.


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CPUT held its annual Open Day from Thursday 6 May to Saturday 8 May 2010 in the Major Sports Hall on the Bellville Campus. The Open Day, targeted at Grade 11 and 12 learners, was attended by thousands of learners from the Peninsula.

The event, which was officially opened by the Dean of Students Ms Cora Motale, gave learners the opportunity to gain insight into a variety of career options so that they can make the right subject choices for their future careers. The theme of this year’s Open Day was Innovation.

Many students made use of the opportunity to garner more information about their fields of interest from the student assistants and lecturers manning the various stalls. They also collected information brochures on the various courses that were in abundance.

Due to space constraints, the Health and Wellness Faculty had its exhibition at the lower level of the student centre. Good Hope FM broadcasted live from the Major Sports Hall for two days. Representatives from the various departments were interviewed about the courses on offer.

Ms Thandokazi Mtshekisa, student recruitment officer and organiser of this year’s Open Day, said the event was successful except for a few glitches here and there which they will learn from.

Various academic facilities and student support services provided interactive exhibition stalls, allowing the learners to obtain first-hand information about the courses on offer, co-operative education, admission requirements and employment opportunities. The Disability Unit also provided information on available opportunities for the disabled.

The Film and Video Technology department won this year’s prize for the best stall. The runners’ up were the Hospitality Management department. CPUT is the largest university in the Western Cape with about 30 000 students.

It offers more than 70 undergraduate courses in the faculties of Applied Sciences, Business, Education and Social Sciences, Engineering, Health and Wellness Sciences and Informatics and Design.

ExHIBITION: Learners had the opportunity to interact with students at the various exhibit stands and could learn more about the courses on offer at CPUT.

WINNER: The Film and Video Technology department won this year’s prize for the best stall. The stall, which was created by Public Relations students as part of a project run each year by the Public Relations Department, was inspired by the hit film Avatar.

OPEN DAYattracts thousands of learners


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staff newsletter

CPUT Libraries hosted a few exciting activities to celebrate SA National Library Week during the first term.

The activities, arranged by Libraries Marketing and Promotions Department Officer Estelle Kriger and third-year Public Relations Management interns Nadia Majiet and Nelisa Ntsokota, included presentations by senior lecturer in the Engineering department and published author Dr Ken Barris and representatives from the City of Cape Town’s Emergency 107 number.

The highlight of the week-long commemoration was a photograph, poster and poetry competition which related to the SA National Library Week theme “Reading Changes Lives”.

The purpose of this competition was to involve students in National Library Week by giving them the opportunity to show us how reading changed their lives.

To enter the competition students were

required to write a poem, take a photograph or design a poster/artwork which related to the theme.

The prize-giving event took place on Tuesday, 4 May 2010 at the Cape Town campus library’s seminar room with the overall category winners receiving prizes from the competition sponsors namely Books 24/7; Eskom; SafMarine; Heart 104.9; Sabinet; Van Schaik’s Book Store and CPUT’s Department of Student Affairs.

The competition ran across all ten CPUT

campuses and learning centres, giving registered students an opportunity to submit entries.

First-prize winner in the poetry category was Itumeleng Motsepe, with Simphiwe Dumengane receiving the first prize in the poster category and Simon Longela winning the first prize in the photograph category.

Prizes that were awarded included digital clocks, calculators, calendars, leather folders and USB flash drives from the sponsors namely Books 24/7, Eskom, Safmarine, Heart 104.9, Sabinet, Van Schaik’s Book Store and CPUT’s Department of Student Affairs.

A major sponsor Laragh Skills Learning Solutions for Africa, which provides e-learning and computer-based training, donated a year’s free access to their online resource centre and library.

“This great competition gave me the opportunity to open up and share my story with others. It also gave us (students) the chance to show our different talents,” said first year Entrepreneurship student, Awonke Mdzinwa.

“I can’t wait for next year’s Library Week competition so that I can participate again,” said Mdzinwa.

READING: The winners of the Library Week competition.

Library Week encouragesCREATIVITY AND READING

“I can’t wait for next year’s Library Week competition

so that I can participate again.”


staff newsletter

This publication is produced by the Communications Office of the Cape Peninsula University of Technology. If your department does not receive copies of the Moja, please inform us by sending a request to [email protected]. The Communications Office strives to deliver accurate reporting and interesting stories, but cannot take responsibility for inaccurate information supplied to us by your department. We hope you enjoy the read and look forward to seeing stories from your department next month.

The CPUT Learn-To-Swim Programme recently held its first graduation ceremony, where the achievements of students who passed level one were celebrated.

The programme, which was introduced at the start of the 2010 academic year, is aimed at equipping students with swimming skills.

The programme is one of many running in South Africa to ensure that individuals, young and old, are equipped with swimming skills. Statistics show that a mere 15 percent of South Africans can swim while drowning is listed as one of the top causes of unnatural death amongst children in South Africa.

Sports Development Officer, Quinton Summers, who oversees the programme, said: “To learn to swim as an adult takes courage and discipline but the rewards are everlasting.”

The ten students, who were evaluated on

28 April 2010 by swimming instructors Denise Van Schalkwyk and Shasha Van Schalkwyk, passed level one with flying colours.

Summers said: “These students gained knowledge of water safety, swimming skills and developed character traits like perseverance and self confidence. Through hard work and a ‘never give up’ attitude, they are now swimmers for life. They have joined forces with nature and will pass this knowledge on to generations to follow.”

The class of 20 students, who attend weekly lessons at the Long Street Baths in Cape Town, will now be split into two groups. The 10 students who passed level one will move on to level two while the others will strive to complete level one. Summers said everyone in the class was committed to helping each other.

“They worked hard, laughed even harder and eventually formed a tight knitted group helping each other to succeed,” he said.

FIRSTGRADUATESOF LEARNTO SWIM

WATER FUN: Students practice their floating skills during one of the swimming lessons, which take place at Long Street Baths in Cape Town.

For more information on joining the programme, contact Summers at 021-4603345 or [email protected]

STUDENTS COMPETE INKARATECHAMPIONSHIPS

CPUT will be presented internationally at the 6th World University Karate Championships.

Based on their outstanding performance, students Rafeeq Larney and Shukry Sedan were selected to represent the South African National University Sports South Africa (USSA) team at the 7th World University Championships to be held in Podgorica, Montenegro from 14 to 18 July 2010.

Sports Development Officer, Annelie Swarts, said these two elite sportsmen made an impression for CPUT Karate at several championships to date.

They recently clinched medals at the USSA Championships in Port Elizabeth, the Provincial Championships and at the National Trials held in Bloemfontein.

Between the two, their collective medal tally is 12.

“Not only are they excellent competitors at provincial and national level, they are also making a name for themselves within CPUT/USSA,” said Swartz.

In 2008 Rafeeq Larney, who studies Financial Information Systems was the CPUT Sportsman of the Year and in 2009 Shukry Sedan, who studies Building was runner up for CPUT Sportsman of the Year.

“This is no mean feat considering that CPUT Karate (Cape Town) has only been in existence since 2007,” said Swarts.

cput celebrates africa day · took place on 4 may 2010 at emperors palace, gauteng. the minister of...

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